Every time Team USA gets together, there's talk of how players return to the NBA better. They can see how other stars work, go against them in practice and refine their individual games. If there's one guy this summer who people are talking about using this experience as a springboard to superstardom, it's New Orleans Pelicans big man Anthony Davis. His college coach, Kentucky's John Calipari, is doing nothing to temper those expectations, via USA Today's Sam Amick:
"Right now, you look at (Davis) and say, 'Man, in five years, he could be the best player in the NBA,' " Calipari said. "And this USA Basketball stuff pushes that date sooner. Again, here's what it does for him: how to work, new things to add to his game, and confidence like, 'These are the best in the world, so I'm all right.' "
Pelicans head coach Monty Williams, an assistant on Team USA, said something similar, adding that even if Davis spent his time working out with other pros, nothing would prepare him for next season like this.